Virgin Media to double broadband speeds for its customers

Over four million of Virgin Media’s customers to have their speeds doubled in the next 18 months, with top speeds reaching 120Mbps

Virgin Media is to double broadband speeds for its four million plus customers in a move that could see download speeds hit 120Mbps.

The upgrade programme will begin next month and will continue for a year-and-a-half, with a completion date scheduled for mid 2013.

Subscribers to Virgin Media’s current 10Mbps, 20Mbps, 30Mbps and 50Mbps services will see their speeds at least doubled, with those receiving speeds of 100Mbps experiencing an increase to 120Mbps.

Virgin Media said speeds of 120Mbps will enable users to download a music album in 4.4 seconds and a HD film in around five minutes.

It added the widespread availability of superfast broadband supports the Government’s ambitions of ensuring that consumers have access to the best broadband services in Europe by 2015.

The firm also said that its upgrade programme forms part of its ongoing commitment to delivering the fastest broadband speeds in the UK, and will “catapult Britain into the world’s broadband premier league”.

Virgin Media CEO Neil Berkett (pictured) said: “The burgeoning market for better connectivity has given us an opportunity to transform the digital experience of millions of our customers and to bring about a massive step change in the number of UK consumers who have access to exciting next generation services.

“We want to make sure that customers have access to the best value broadband service and that means a superfast connection.”

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “I welcome this announcement from Virgin Media; it will provide a great boost for the economy and change the way many households, consumers and businesses use the internet. Rolling out superfast broadband across the country is a critical part of our plan to upgrade the UK’s infrastructure and build a new and smarter economy.”